Capital show by Central

Apr 22 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A MIX of youth and experience saw Central Athletic Club take first place in Division One of the Scottish Men's League at the opening match of the season held in glorious sunshine at Meadowbank.

Under 17 athlete Kyle Henderson mixes both youth and experience and here his first placed Long Jump (6.67metres) and second placed High Jump (1.90metres) ensured Central had a good base.

Michael Wright set his stall out from the start with a powerful run in the 800metres to dip under two minutes for the first time in winning the ‘B’ event (1min 59.5secs). Michael then went on to finish second in his speciality event the 3000metre Steeplechase (10min 3.49secs) rounding off his day with another fine run in the 5,000 metres 16.30.

Given that Michael had competed in the 12 Stage Road Relay in Birmingham the previous day this was a magnificent effort that epitomised the commitment shown throughout the team.

Andrew Butchart (Under 20) made his debut at this level and showed great form in winning the 5000metres (15.32) and taking third in the 1500metres in an excellent 4min 5.63secs.

Under 17 runner Scott Green was also competing in the Men's League for the first time and strode round the 1500metres in confident style to take maximum ‘B’ points in 4min 7.23secs. Alex Hendry was another to have run in Birmingham the previous day but showed a 'can do' attitude in a high class ‘A’ 800metres race, staying in contention throughout to come home in seventh, recording 2min 2.64secs.

Alex Milne continues to roll back the years and here contributed another strong run in the 3,000metres Steeplechase recording 11min 33.78secs, having also competed well in Birmingham the previous day.

Ron Todd weighed in with a great contribution from the Pole Vault (3.00metres), Discus (31.65metres), Hammer (31.70metres) and Shot Put (9.15metres) to gain an excellent haul of points. Colin Christie was another to cover a number of events, picking up invaluable points, in Pole Vault (2.80metres), High Jump (1.55metres), Triple Ju mp (10.04metres) and 110metre hurdles.

Gary Sweeney has proven to be a great supporter of the Club in recent years and here covered all the throws with 11.43metres Shot Put, 31.42metres Discus, 33.64metres Javelin and 30.74metres Hammer, piling on the points.

Alastair Beaton once again covered sprint duties with determined runs in a loaded 100metres (11.77secs), finishing seventh and 200metres (23.64secs) for fifth. In the ‘B’ events Stirling University student Shane Malone came home third and fifth respectively in the 100metres (11.93secs) and 200metres (24.14secs) and also tackled the 110metre hurdles with a fine third ‘A’ place (17.57secs).

Morris Dillon proved an excellent addition to the Team with second place in the ‘A’ 400metre hurdles (58.24secs); third in the ‘A’ triple jump (11.98metres) and fourth in the ‘A’ Javelin (35.66metres).

Under 20 athlete Donald Ferguson also made his first appearance for the Club finishing fifth in the fine time of 51.54secs for 400metres and taking fourth ‘B’ spot in the Long Jump. Kenny Morrison weighed in with fifth place in the ‘B’ 400metre hurdles while Under 17’s Martyn Paterson (12.24secs) and Sanju Siriwardena (12.65secs) finished first and sixth respectively in the Guest 100metres.

The Relays rounded off the day with perhaps the youngest teams ever fielded by the Club in the Men's League. The team of Shane Malone, Kyle Henderson, Stewart Ardrey and Sanju Siriwardena came home in fifth in the tasty time of 45.66secs for the 4 x 100metres relay.

Stewart Ardrey ran his first ever 400metre race in the first leg of the 4 x 400metres and his team-mates Martyn Paterson, Alex Hendry and a spirited final leg by Donald Ferguson brought the youngsters through to fourth with 3min 36.5secs. There was superb back-up as always to the Club’s effort from officials Tom McMenemy, John Dickson and Meg Sweeney.

The Unscrutinised match points were Central AC 324, Edinburgh AC 306, Arbroath and District AC 297, Aberdeen AAC 274, Pitrevie AAC 248, Shettleston Harriers 202; Whitemoss AAC 201, Victoria Park Glasgow AC 137.